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Post by kaijorg on Oct 13, 2014 22:42:26 GMT -5
Hi, I currently own an XPR2 amp with the XDA2 DAC and B&W Nautilus 803 speakers. I play flac files with JRiver. I want to begin experimenting with active crossovers and possibly change speakers. One speaker I may build and try is the LX521 (Linkwitzlab.com). My plan is to purchase 4 more channels (minimum) of amplifier power and possibly the miniDSP 4x10. If I use the XPR for the low end then I could go with two 2-channel amps or one 5/7 channel amp. After reading some of the posts I'm not sure what the benefit of my XPR is. With sound quality in mind, any recommendations on what to purchase? Here is what I am considering but maybe the best choice is something else:
XPR-5 XPA-5 XPA-7
This is for my audio system only.
I plan to eliminate the crossovers in the speakers and use miniDSP (or something better?) with REW room correction.
Thank you.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Oct 13, 2014 22:49:37 GMT -5
Hi, I currently own an XPR2 amp with the XDA2 DAC and B&W Nautilus 803 speakers. I play flac files with JRiver. I want to begin experimenting with active crossovers and possibly change speakers. One speaker I may build and try is the LX521 (Linkwitzlab.com). My plan is to purchase 4 more channels (minimum) of amplifier power and possibly the miniDSP 4x10. If I use the XPR for the low end then I could go with two 2-channel amps or one 5/7 channel amp. After reading some of the posts I'm not sure what the benefit of my XPR is. With sound quality in mind, any recommendations on what to purchase? Here is what I am considering but maybe the best choice is something else: XPR-5 XPA-5 XPA-7 This is for my audio system only. I plan to eliminate the crossovers in the speakers and use miniDSP (or something better?) with REW room correction. Thank you. Hi, happy to help if I can. " This is for my audio system only. " I'm guessing you mean home theater, right? Can I assume that you have no intentions of running a two channel system integrated with this? What size room?,,,,,,Oh, wait,,,,,I'll go check this thread and see what info is there!! Sorry
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Oct 13, 2014 22:52:00 GMT -5
OK, Lots more questions then answers right now, but We'll need the room size, acoustic treatments, if any. Listening levels. Need a little more before anyone can help you.
So glad your hear at the Emotiva forum,,,,,welcome.
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Post by kaijorg on Oct 13, 2014 23:07:28 GMT -5
Hi. This is for 2 channel music only. The room is 21'x14' and the ceiling is about 12'high on one end rising to about 18' at the other. No room treatments at this time. Speakers are about 9' apart and my listening chair is about 10' from them. I do tend to listen to my music at fairly high volume. Thank you.
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Post by garbulky on Oct 14, 2014 1:11:32 GMT -5
So you're goal is to get the thing to sound good right? Sound quality in 2 channel? The XDA-2 wasn't terribly great as a pre-amp (in my opinion) with Emotiva's big two channel amps. Lacked dynamics and some detail. On the whole DAC direct to (especially larger) amps lacks a little something - in my subjective experience. Here's my suggestions: I've personally auditioned the XPR-2, XDA-2, DC-1 and XSP-1. And these are my experiences. Buy the Emotiva DC-1, stick an XSP-1 on it and connect the XPR-2's to them. Buy these: www.atsacoustics.com/item--ATS-Acoustic-Panel-24-x-48-x-2--1001.htmlStick at least one behind your couch. That should get you where you want. Also if you still feel like you're missing a bit on low end punch. Get one or two of these subs- depending on how much money you have. One gets you a power house sub with good impact. Two gets you stereo bass and smooths out room humps and dips. www.powersoundaudio.com/products/xv15seEither way you go, think of adding a standalone pre-amp and spending a bit more on the DAC than you've already got. You want your front end to be as capable as the system you are building - and the LX521 is one heck of a performer from all reports I've read.
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Post by memotiva on Oct 14, 2014 5:04:38 GMT -5
XPR has 400W per channel at 8 ohms all channels driven. Why'd you buy the 2 channel version if you don't know what the difference is? Incidentally, amplifiers are part of the snake oil in the AV business. All amps sound the same when operating in their published specifications. Thus, unless you're listening to some seriously loud music, then there are cheaper options.
XLR connections, as well, are snake oil. Unless your pre is in a completely different part of your house, there's no benefit to it.
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Post by Jim on Oct 14, 2014 6:05:11 GMT -5
XPR has 400W per channel at 8 ohms all channels driven. Why'd you buy the 2 channel version if you don't know what the difference is? Incidentally, amplifiers are part of the snake oil in the AV business. All amps sound the same when operating in their published specifications. Thus, unless you're listening to some seriously loud music, then there are cheaper options. XLR connections, as well, are snake oil. Unless your pre is in a completely different part of your house, there's no benefit to it. Can you say snake oil a few more times? I don't think you understand the meaning of the term. A sports car that has more horsepower than you need isn't snake oil. Nor is 4 wheel drive if you don't use it. Having excess capability or an unused feature isn't "snake oil".
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Post by vcautokid on Oct 14, 2014 6:42:18 GMT -5
In regards to balanced. The theory in practice is a lower noise floor, and improved dynamics. Also as most if not all balanced Emotiva products are fully differential, you have common mode noise cancellation, very low distortion, and excellent signal to noise. Yes, it works.
Also as a benefit of balanced, yes you can run long cable runs with little to worry about hum, and noise. I think we have to be careful what we feel is, and what actually really works in practice.
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Post by memotiva on Oct 14, 2014 6:48:58 GMT -5
The theory might be that, but practice is another thing completely. Go find some double blind studies that prove that it makes a lick of difference. It's snake oil. The manufacturers don't want to point that out as it would threaten their business model.
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Post by mgbpuff on Oct 14, 2014 7:54:45 GMT -5
Just follow the Linkowitz recommendations of 6 - 180w channels. I'd bet on the XPA-7 to do the job. If it doesn't totally please, then you have a start on a home theater system with it. If you want to separate right and left channels, go with two XPA-3s.
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Post by Jim on Oct 14, 2014 8:17:18 GMT -5
The theory might be that, but practice is another thing completely. Go find some double blind studies that prove that it makes a lick of difference. It's snake oil. The manufacturers don't want to point that out as it would threaten their business model. Having a feature that people that in normal circumstances (for most people) doesn't provide audible improvement doesn't make it snake oil. And Emotiva doesn't market having XLR inputs as being some magic bullet. Some people prefer the more robust cabling, regardless of audible improvements. Bottling radium and selling it as a cure is snake oil. Big difference. By your logic, ALL external DACs are snake oil. If it's not audibly better, it must be snake oil? Alrighty then.
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Post by pedrocols on Oct 14, 2014 9:16:44 GMT -5
XPR has 400W per channel at 8 ohms all channels driven. Why'd you buy the 2 channel version if you don't know what the difference is? Incidentally, amplifiers are part of the snake oil in the AV business. All amps sound the same when operating in their published specifications. Thus, unless you're listening to some seriously loud music, then there are cheaper options. XLR connections, as well, are snake oil. Unless your pre is in a completely different part of your house, there's no benefit to it. So you really think all amps sound the same when operating in their published specifications? Huh! What amps do you own?
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Post by laserman35 on Oct 14, 2014 9:22:57 GMT -5
Since you already own a XPR-2 I would suggest getting a second for BI-amping. XPR-2 has a nice level of overkill, a little more than my needs. XLR cables, cool overkill and could possibly eliminate a potential problem. DAC's and preamps can make a significant difference. "for me the XMC-1 has everything I need". I see your looking at the miniDSP 4x10 I think that might cheapen the sound in your system. "research this before proceeding" Room treatments "worth every penny" do your research and get some diffusers and absorption products. There are online companies that will help you with this using your rooms specs to get it correct.
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Post by pedrocols on Oct 14, 2014 10:11:25 GMT -5
Since you already own a XPR-2 I would suggest getting a second for BI-amping. XPR-2 has a nice level of overkill, a little more than my needs. XLR cables, cool overkill and could possibly eliminate a potential problem. DAC's and preamps can make a significant difference. "for me the XMC-1 has everything I need". I see your looking at the miniDSP 4x10 I think that might cheapen the sound in your system. "research this before proceeding" Room treatments "worth every penny" do your research and get some diffusers and absorption products. There are online companies that will help you with this using your rooms specs to get it correct. Personally, if this is for two channel only listenig, there are cheaper and better proven options out there than the XMC-1.
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Post by pedrocols on Oct 14, 2014 10:17:33 GMT -5
Okay. I am sorry. The OP is asking for amp recommendations not preamp or processors.
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Post by paintedklown on Oct 14, 2014 13:03:56 GMT -5
Hi, I currently own an XPR2 amp with the XDA2 DAC and B&W Nautilus 803 speakers. I play flac files with JRiver. I want to begin experimenting with active crossovers and possibly change speakers. One speaker I may build and try is the LX521 (Linkwitzlab.com). My plan is to purchase 4 more channels (minimum) of amplifier power and possibly the miniDSP 4x10. If I use the XPR for the low end then I could go with two 2-channel amps or one 5/7 channel amp. After reading some of the posts I'm not sure what the benefit of my XPR is. With sound quality in mind, any recommendations on what to purchase? Here is what I am considering but maybe the best choice is something else: XPR-5 XPA-5 XPA-7 This is for my audio system only. I plan to eliminate the crossovers in the speakers and use miniDSP (or something better?) with REW room correction. Thank you. Hello, to answer your question (as I understand it), you are wanting to actively x-over a pair of three way speakers and have a dedicated amp per driver. IMO, the best way to achieve this would be to get two XPA-3 amps and use them to vertical bi-amp your drivers. Doing so will give you the separation of mono blocks and allow you to drive your tweeters, mid range, and subs with their own amp channel. Good luck with whatever you choose.
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Post by memotiva on Oct 14, 2014 18:09:27 GMT -5
"So you really think all amps sound the same when operating in their published specifications? Huh! What amps do you own?"
It doesn't matter what you own. It's snake oil. Go look at the double blind tests on the subject.
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Post by pedrocols on Oct 14, 2014 18:13:59 GMT -5
"So you really think all amps sound the same when operating in their published specifications? Huh! What amps do you own?" It doesn't matter what you own. It's snake oil. Go look at the double blind tests on the subject. Isn't it a blind test? How am I supposed to look at it? Will it be snake oil if I look at it?
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Post by memotiva on Oct 14, 2014 18:26:24 GMT -5
A blind test is useless as by design it's biased. Double blind tests give actual results. For amps operating inside of their specific operation parameters, there's no difference in them. It's like fancy speaker cables or those pills you see on TV late at night that will magically make you John Holmes. They don't work, but people buy in to it anyways.
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Post by redog on Oct 14, 2014 18:40:16 GMT -5
Ultimately, there is no chance in hell anyone here will convince the other. Life is subjective to the person interpreting it.
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